So About Last Night...

My street under the full moon and after the storm on Saturday night.

The stars were in alignment for me last night. I had a bad back day from the moment I woke up. I think it was from taking down the tree and decorations, carrying heavy boxes, vacuuming, mopping the floor, slouching while I knit, etc. You get the idea. It took me hours to get to a place where I wasn't saying, "my back is killing me." The funny thing is, it's not my back that hurts, it's my thigh and knee that hurt from referred nerve pain. I thought about calling in sick, but I didn't want to waste a day off. My first page came before the start of my shift and said I had no assignments. Just on-call. Woo-hoo! Good thing I didn't waste a sick day. This kind of day is a rarity for me as I usually have a full dance card by the time I start my shift. The rest of the night sort of went the same way and allowed me to catch up on all that paper work that accompanies a career in home care.

I need to keep reminding myself how much I like what I'm doing during these winter months. I do not enjoy my commutes during the snowy nights we've had. Getting stuck is a huge worry. I've even considered leasing an SUV from a car rental place-especially after I nearly rear ended a car on the freeway Friday night. I think I slid for a good 10 feet before the brakes engaged and the tires found purchase on the snow covered pavement. I'm trying to talk myself out the rental-that money could buy a lot of yarn or even a trip someplace balmy. OK, I talked myself out of it. I'll take my chances on Detroit's side streets if I can go someplace more tropical for a long weekend.

Back to last night, I've forgiven Jack and I finished THE hat. In fact, I finished two. The flowers and leaves aren't completely done, but I thought I'd give you a sneak preview. I finished the one with the red top Sunday night and once done, I realized it was way too big for this baby's head. It will find a new home, or maybe I'll give it to her for next year. I was in gauge denial and now, I have a hat that would fit a 3 year old. I could rip it out but I think it's cute so I won't.

My blogger friend Brenda wrote about a sock that had to become a hat last week. I wanted to show her my sock issues (below) so she'd know her problems are just growing pains with her knitting. The sock on the left is from the spruce pair I just finished (it fits like a glove). The sock on the right, which would have fit Andre the Giant, is in acrylic. It was my first sock and I refuse to throw it away. It won't shrink because it isn't wool; it holds no shape and is hideous. But it's my first so I love it anyways. Like many firsts, it holds a special place in my heart-I even remember when I knit the beasts. I was hijacked by my daughter, her best friend and my best friend to Chicago so that I could turn 50 in a city other than Detroit. I knit a good part of this pair of socks on that trip. I'm showing it to Brenda so that she won't give up. Brenda, that wasn't even two years ago. Just know, practice makes perfect and gauge can be your friend-even though she's also a bitch.